What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningLauryl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer
Acrylates Copolymer
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingParfum
Masking
Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingPEG-8 Laurate
Emulsifying
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningLinoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Silicone Quaternium-22
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Laureth-4
Emulsifying
C12-16 Alcohols
EmollientVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Emulsifying
Tetrasodium EDTA
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-3 Caprate
EmulsifyingSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Quaternium-95
UV AbsorberCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Acer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitamidopropyltrimonium Chloride
Sodium Sulfate
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Propanediol
Solvent
Malachite Extract
Antioxidant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Litchi Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingLeontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningHypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
Astringent
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Tilia Cordata Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning
Acacia Seyal Gum Extract
HumectantAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicNiacinamide
Smoothing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Limonene
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Lauryl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Acrylates Copolymer, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Parfum, Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate, Lauryl Glucoside, PEG-8 Laurate, Sodium PCA, Potassium Hydroxide, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Butylene Glycol, Silicone Quaternium-22, Propylene Glycol, Laureth-4, C12-16 Alcohols, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Tetrasodium EDTA, Dipropylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-3 Caprate, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Mentha Piperita Oil, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Glycolic Acid, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Sorbic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Benzoate, Benzoic Acid, Quaternium-95, Caffeine, Acer Saccharum Extract, Palmitamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Sodium Sulfate, Sodium Citrate, Polysorbate 20, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propanediol, Malachite Extract, Alcohol, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Litchi Chinensis Fruit Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Hypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Tilia Cordata Flower Extract, Acacia Seyal Gum Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Biotin, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Tin Oxide, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningJuglans Regia Shell Powder
Abrasive
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Pumice
Abrasive
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Lecithin
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dipotassium Phosphate
BufferingCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Sodium Citrate
BufferingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Symphytum Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLimonene
Perfuming
Water, Juglans Regia Shell Powder, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Pumice, Lauryl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Citric Acid, Lecithin, Sodium Chloride, Tocopherol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Dipotassium Phosphate, Caffeine, Glycine Soja Oil, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Sodium Citrate, Alcohol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Symphytum Officinale Root Extract, Limonene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholCaffeine is a naturally occurring plant compound found in coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa pods, and guarana.
As an antioxidant, caffeine protects your skin from free radical damage caused by UV exposure and envionrmnetal stressors.
Early research also shows that caffeine can help calm redness, soothe irritated skin, and support hair growth by stimulating microcirculation in the scalp.
You might have seen eye creams marketing caffeine as a depuffing ingredient. This is because it is a vasoconstrictor meaning it can temporarily constrict blood vessels, though clinical evidence for this specific use is still limited.
Most skincare products contain this ingredient at concentrations between 1-6%. It is able to penetrate skin easily regardless of skin type or thickness.
Just so you know, a very small number of case reports describe caffeine-induced allergy. This ingredient is generally well-tolerated, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing for the majority of people.
Learn more about CaffeineCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLauryl Glucoside sugar- and lipid-based cleansing agent. It is created from glucose and lauryl alcohol.
This ingredient is a surfactant, making it easier to rinse oil, dirt, and other pollutants away.
A British study found lauryl glucoside to cause skin sensitivity for some people. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Other names for this ingredient include "Lauryl Polyglucose", "Lauryl glycoside", and "D-Glucopyranoside".
Learn more about Lauryl GlucosideLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimonenePotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
